Leads elusive in shooting death of German shepherd mix in Plaistow

PLAISTOW — Joe Curto is still looking for answers after he found his beloved German shepherd mix, Jaycee, shot to death near the railroad tracks behind his family business in November.

Six weeks have passed since the shooting, but Curto isn't giving up hope that the person who gunned down his dog will be caught.

."We're hoping that police find something, but as of right now we can't do much. It's one of those things you learn to deal with. It's day by day," he said Wednesday.

Jaycee, who would have turned 9 this month, was killed shortly after she was let outside to relieve herself at the family's business, USA 1 Motors at 39 Westville Road, on Nov. 19...She suffered a fatal gunshot wound to her hind quarter less than 20 feet from the building.

A reward offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the shooter has now grown to $2,000, according to a Facebook page created by a family friend after the shooting called "Justice for Jaycee."..Police continue to investigate the case, but have had little luck identifying a suspect.

"Jaycee's case is still open, but we are hoping to find more or new information as most of the leads have not been very successful so far. It will remain active, and we will hopefully get new information in time," Deputy Police Chief Kathleen Jones said...Curto and others have said that Jaycee never wandered far from the business and never caused a problem. Police also said she wasn't considered a "nuisance" and that there had been no other complaints about her before she was killed...Curto encouraged anyone with information to reach out through the Facebook page or contact the Plaistow Police Department.

"Every lead helps. Whatever it takes to get it done. I've been keeping my ear out for anything, but at the moment that's about it. If someone is going to get caught, they're going to get caught," said Curto, who continues to receive support from people upset by the shooting...jschreiber@newstote.com ..